Northeast Recycling Council’s Fall Conference Focuses on Environmental Issues and Embraces Waste Challenges

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): During the last week of October, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) held their annual Fall Conference in partnership with State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (SUNY ESF) Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM), and in collaboration with Syracuse University’s Institute for Sustainability Engagement in Syracuse New York. The conference featured three days of great discussion about the complex challenges that come with waste and recycling, circularity, packaging, sustainability, and other important topics around the industry.

DAY ONE: FOCUSING ON REUSE

Mark Lichtenstein, Executive Operating Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Environmental Studies Adjunct Faculty for SUNY ESF kicked off the conference with a welcome to New York state and said that he was very happy to see the event held there. He noted how important NERC was to him in the 1980s when he cut his teeth in the solid waste business. Lichtenstein gave a land acknowledgement of the native nations that once occupied the lands where the conference was taking place. He talked about the Center and its origins in 2019 when it was first conceived to meet the recycling markets challenge. At the time, a proposal was put together for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They approved of the idea and invested in it, which led to a public-academic partnership, that resulted in more capacity for research and innovation within waste management and the circular economy.

Next, Katherine Walker, Executive Director of CSMM, welcomed attendees and shared her enthusiasm for partnering with NERC for the first time. She stated that the goal of the partnership was to inspire and connect a diverse group to collectively embrace challenges of waste and expressed the desire to move through the next three days as a collective force to face complex environmental challenges. She said New York has a goal to become the most circular state in the nation and has much respect for the people who work every day and to make it possible. There is an incredible network of stakeholders across NY who have laid the groundwork, but it still feels like we are just getting started. The country is facing challenges, including climate change and resource depletion, and we have to embrace efforts that lead to tangible change. Key themes are reduction, reuse, reduce environmental impact, and newer initiatives. She commented that there is a lot more work to do. Closed loop and responsible purchasing are vital for fostering a sustainable marketplace, mapping recycling streams, and identifying gaps. Community engagement is critical, and we need to create a new culture of how we communicate with the public. Efforts are not individual pursuits; multi-generational effort is critical. The younger generation’s passion and commitment reminds us that we are fighting for our future generations.

Walker then introduced Dereth Glance from Region 7 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Dereth said she was happy to return to CSMM for its 5th anniversary. CSMM was launched during the time of National Sword, when we were in a freefall. Solid waste management companies in New York knew municipalities were struggling and organized a collaboration to discuss creating solutions for solid waste. New York State DEC has invested 4.8 million dollars into diverting food waste and worked hard with the Climate Action Council to cover waste in their legislation. Dareth emphasized that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) provides the opportunity to create a circular economy without saddling the public with cost. Materials management is a step forward, but we cannot do it alone. We need producers to be a part of it as well. The use of our academic institutions partnering to solve these problems in real time is exciting. These conversations that are taking place are incredibly important, so we need to be creative because the infrastructure is hiding in plain sight. We need to move the needle further to be more resilient and sustainable and it requires all actors to work together.

Melissa Young, Director of the Institute for Sustainability Engagement (ISE) at Syracuse University provided remarks next. She talked about how she got started in the field and how that opened her eyes up to how people view sustainability. Melissa said that sustainability looks different in every community. To make a real impact, we need to listen to groups and ensure strategies are aligned with their needs. Statewide education and outreach campaigns need to work closely with stakeholders. She then announced that the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions rebranded to the Institute for Sustainability Engagement. The program highlights a long partnership with SUNY ESF, connecting people with resources to move solutions forward, expand impact, and improve our world. She said this event is about doing just that.

Then, Megan Schulz-Fontes, NERC’s Executive Director, remarked that it was great to be there and partner with the CSMM at SUNY ESF. Megan spoke about her background and said it is important to have government, academia and industry at the table in order to create solutions. NERC is leading discussions on SMM through committee work, webinars, and collaboration. They have expanded their committees to include Organics and continue to provide regional data on MRFs and the flow of glass in the Northeast. She commented that they were looking forward to working with the 11 states who make up their state membership and discussed the issues that are important today. She previewed the list of topics and encouraged everyone to attend the 8th annual environmental leadership awards ceremony.

Kathryn Walker then introduced SUNY ESF’s President, Joanie Mahoney, who provided wrap up remarks. She thanked everyone for being there and said it is an honor for SUNY ESF to host this event. Under the leadership of Sue Fassler, SUNY ESF launched its first sustainability action plan this year—actions that are aimed at implementing environmental and sustainability throughout the college. The CSMM has made tremendous strides and has grown to secure 10 million in funding with 35 individuals doing research in the field. President Mahoney recognized the partnership between NERC and the NYSDEC and spoke about the recent launch of ISE, which is looking to form international partnerships and host large scale events to promote training and research. She said their latest initiative was the launch of a used material marketplace on campus and pointed out that SUNY ESF was ranked #4 on the list of most sustainable colleges. This is critical work fostering a sustainable resilient future for our communities and beyond. 

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com